Pre-close Trading Update

James Halstead PLC
25 July 2007


                                                                    25 July 2007


                               James Halstead plc
                          Pre-close Trading Statement


James Halstead plc, international manufacturer and distributor of commercial
floor coverings is issuing the following trading statement prior to entering the
close period ahead of its full year results for the year ended 30 June 2007.
James Halstead plc will announce these results on 1 October 2007.



The strong  sales performance for the first half reported in March 2007 has
continued into the second half of the year with all subsidiaries reporting
turnover increases. The Continental European based subsidiaries, Australia and
Phoenix are on line to report 'like for like' double-digit sales growth.



As noted in an earlier update the upgrade to the Polysafe facility, in
Manchester, was successfully completed in April 2007 and full production resumed
ahead of schedule with output increases and with the potential for further
product development.



The UK based manufacturing facility has continued to face raw material price
increases and increased energy costs but with the increased sales of
complementary product manufactured elsewhere margins have been, at least,
maintained. It is anticipated that the Group's pre tax profit for the year just
ended will be above market expectations.




Enquiries:
                Mark Halstead, Chief Executive                       Telephone : [phone]
                Gordon Oliver, Finance Director

                Amy Faulconbridge, Hudson Sandler                    Telephone : [phone]






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange